PhilWiki Community/Proposed Local Chapters

In order to achieve the objectives of PhilWiki Community, there should have different local Chapters that will engage in the development of the projects. Chapters are designed to help provide organization to communities where there is a strong base, and further the reach of the Community in a specific locality.

The are eight (8) existing Philippine language-based Wikipedia projects in the Philippines namely Central Bikol, Cebuano, Chavacano, Kapampangan, Ilokano, Pangasinan, Tagalog and Waray. Each of these languages has at least one million native speakers. Among the existing proposed Wikipedia projects, Hiligaynon has over a million native speakers while Capiznon, Kinaray-a, Miraya Bikol and Rinconada Bikol have lesser.

Proposed local Chapters for existing communities

Major Philippine languages

In the last 5 years, there have been contributors who actively promote the projects in different parts of the country: Pangasinan Wikipedia in Lingayen, Pangasinan (Ilocos Region), Kapampangan Wikipedia in Angeles City (Central Luzon Region), Tagalog Wikipedia in Manila (National Capital Region), Bikol Sentral Wikipedia in Naga City and Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia in Iriga City (both in Bicol Region) and Waray Wikipedia in Tacloban City (Eastern Visayas Region).

The establishment of the following Chapters for a period of three (3) years is proposed:

• Northern Luzon Chapter - the Chapter is based in Lingayen, Pangasinan. It will represent and supervise the communities engaged in the development of the Ilokano and Pangasinan Wikipedia projects among others.
• Kapampangan Chapter - the Chapter is based in Angeles City, Pampanga. It will represent and supervise the communities engaged in the development of the Kapampangan Wikipedia project among others.
• Tagalog Chapter - the Chapter is based in Manila, Metro Mania. It will represent and supervise the communities engaged in the development of the Tagalog Wikipedia project among others.
• Bikol Chapter - the Chapter is based in Naga City, Camarines Sur. The community will engage in the development of the Bikol Sentral and Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia projects among others.
• Rinconada Chapter - the Chapter is based in Iriga City, Camarines Sur. The community will engage in the development of the Rinconada Bikol and Miraya Bikol Wikipedia projects among others.
• Panay-Negros Chapter - the Chapter is based in Roxas City, Capiz. It will represent and supervise the communities engaged in the development of the Capiznon, Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a Wikipedia projects among others.
• Sinirangang Bisayas Chapter - the Chapter is based in Tacloban City, Leyte. It will represent and supervise the communities engaged in the development of the Waray, Cebuano and Chavacano Zamboangueño Wikipedia projects among others.

The Chapter's Head, who must be a regular member shall serve as the liaison of the Community.

Policy on Establishing a Philippine Wikimedia Community Branch (2021)

The PH-WC Board approved the policy through a resolution passed on June 25, 2021.

Map of the Philippines showing the activity of Philippine Wikimedia Community: location of members in green, and location of past outreach activities in lime green (2015-2020)

1. PhilWiki Community recognizes the active role of local Wikimedia communities in developing programs and projects, and in expanding the reach of the organization.
2. A branch is an integral arm of the PhilWiki Community that shall advance, first and foremost, the organization's objectives within an specific locality. It shall also support an specific Wikimedia project and/or program. It may have thematic focus that must be different from other branches.
3. Active members comprising of at least 5 Wikimedia contributors and/or participants in offline activities of the organization, may seek to establish a branch in their locality.
4. The official name of a branch shall include PhilWiki Community as a prefix and followed by the name of the locality.
5. A branch must have a designated community coordinator who shall serve as the head of the community and as representative within the organization for a one-year term.
6. The coordinator shall report the activities of the community to the President on the last day of the month.
7. All members of a branch must be active PhilWiki Community members who are based within a locality, specifically: a) an ethnolinguistic region, b) a region not larger than a major island groups (i.e. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), c) a province, adjacent provinces or neighboring provinces within an island/island groups, d) a division not smaller than a province (i.e. municipality, component city, and barangay), and e) a highly-urbanized city
8. Only active members who have been admitted to the organization for over 6 months shall be enlisted to a branch according to their locality, with exception to new members who are already active Wikimedians prior to joining the organization.
9. Members who do not belong to any locality or ethnolinguistic branch shall be enlisted under their preferred branch while new members shall not be part of any branch until they have been active members for 6 months.
10. Through a concensus, the members of the branch shall designate a hub where they can physically meet regularly.